‘We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.’

OSCAR WILDE A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Wilde’s context Oscar Wilde lived in the United Kingdom during the Victorian era; the period where Queen Victoria ruled. This time is often believed to be a period of strictly conservative family values and prudery. Whilst it was certainly true that the traditional nuclear family was celebrated and upheld there were many elements of the Victorian period which were dynamic and progressive.

Science, medicine, art and writing were all changing. It was the age of invention and life changed dramatically from one end of Queen Victoria’s reign to the other. The middle class was becoming more powerful challenging the power of the upper classes. For people living in Britain it was a largely peaceful era allowing people to focus on creating, designing and thinking.

Some things were also static. Life was difficult if you were part of a minority and many people had attitudes that we would consider racist, sexist and homophobic. Class and social standing was still one of the defining aspect of a person’s life.

So what?????!!!! Wilde’s life and writing reflects some of the changes and continuities of this era. So… we need to consider Wilde’s writing within the context of the Victorian era and in terms of his own experiences as well as considering his chosen genres.

Key questions to ponder. How do you think original audiences and readers would have reacted to Wilde’s writing and life? How do we react? What do modern directors celebrate and/or reject about Wilde’s writing and life?

Remember… “A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.”

“An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all”.

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie, on October 16, Oscar’s parents were both prominent figures in Irish society. His father, William Wilde, was an eye specialist who was knighted for his work. He believed that it was important that the city’s poor should be able to access medical attention so he funded and opened a free eye and ear hospital.

Oscar's mother, Jane Francesca Elgee, first gained attention in 1846 when she began writing revolutionary poems under the pseudonym "Speranza" for a weekly Irish newspaper, The Nation. In 1848 the newspaper offices were raided and had to close.

Before his marriage William Wilde fathered three children who he continued to support after he married Jane Elgee. Oscar’s parents also had another, older, son William and a daughter Isola. Before his marriage William Wilde fathered three children who he continued to support after he married Jane Elgee. Oscar’s parents also had another, older, son William and a daughter Isola.

When she was ten Emily died from a sudden fever. Oscar was grief stricken and for the rest of his life he carried a lock of her hair sealed in a decorated envelope.

Oscar was an excellent student who excelled at school and at University. He attended Trinity College in Dublin and in 1874 won a scholarship to Oxford University in England.

In 1786 William Wilde died suddenly and left his family in a difficult financial state. William’s eldest son, Henry, supported the family.

Oscar graduated with distinction from Oxford University and moved to London where he shared a house with Frank Milne; a portrait painter. In 1881 Oscar published his first collection of poetry: “Poems”.

At University and in London Oscar had developed a reputation for being both a witty speaker and a connoisseur of good taste, aesthetics and intellectual pursuits. He went on a lecture tour of the United States speaking on Aesthetics. He was on the tour for almost a year and gave 140 lectures in 260 days.

In 1884 Oscar married Constance Lloyd. Constance was also very well educated and outspoken. Oscar and Constance had two sons: Cyril and Vyvyan. To support his family Oscar took on the role of editing of ‘Women’s World’ for two years.

“The next six years were to become the most creative period of his life. He published two collections of children's stories, “The Happy Prince and Other Tales” (1888), and “The House of Pomegranates” (1892). His first and only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, was published in an American magazine in 1890 to a storm of critical protest. He expanded the story and had it published in book form the following year. Its implied homoerotic theme was considered very immoral by the Victorians and played a considerable part in his later legal trials. Oscar's first play, “Lady Windermere's Fan,” opened in February Its financial and critical success prompted him to continue to write for the theater. His subsequent plays included “A Woman of No Importance” (1893), “An Ideal Husband” (1895), and “The Importance of Being Earnest” (1895). These plays were all highly acclaimed and firmly established Oscar as a playwright.”

“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book. Books are well written, or badly written.” Plate from ‘Salome’ Aubrey Beardsley

In 1891 Oscar met Lord Alfred Douglas also known as Bosie. Bosie and Oscar began a relationship that lasted for four years. Bosie’s father was the Marquis of Queensbury who took offence at his son’s relationship and called Oscar a ‘somdomnite’ meaning sodomnite.

‘Deceiving others. That is what the world calls a romance.’

In 1885 Oscar sued the Marquis for libel as he had accused him of homosexuality. He later withdrew the charge. However, based on the evidence presented to the court he was charged with gross indecency and found guilty. Oscar was sentenced to two years hard labour.

“One of the many lessons that one learns in prison is, that things are what they are and will be what they will be.”

The time that Oscar spent in jail was psychologically and physically demanding and his health was ruined. Constance moved to Switzerland with the children after the trial and changed her name. She died in 1898.

“Alas, I am dying beyond my means.” In 1898 Oscar also published the ‘Ballad of Reading Goal’. He briefly rekindled his relationship with Bosie but largely spent the last three years of his life living at friends’ houses across Europe.

In 1900 Wilde died of meningitis.

The Victorian era. ictor4.html ictor4.html